Oxen Ploughing 1903

Clarence Gagnon made this painting of oxen ploughing, likely in the early 20th century, using soft, blended strokes that seem to capture a fleeting moment. The colours are muted, almost hazy, which gives the whole scene a dreamlike quality. You can really feel the weight of the earth and the effort of the work in the way Gagnon has built up the paint, especially in the dark, freshly turned soil. Look closely at the oxen, you can almost feel the sun warming their hides. The painting feels like a memory. This kind of gentle, pastoral scene is something you see in a lot of Gagnon's work, though he's also known for his depictions of Quebec winter landscapes. You might also think of Jean-François Millet, another painter who found beauty and dignity in rural life, even though Gagnon's work has a much lighter and ethereal quality. It's a reminder that art's always in conversation, always echoing and transforming what came before.